Resolution by the Continental Congress concerning property taken or destroyed by the British

United States. Continental Congress

September 10,
1782

Volume 16, Pages 408-409

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS.

[From Executive Letter Book.]

By the United States In Congress Assembled,
September 10th, 1782.

Resolved:

That the Secretary for Foreign Affairs be, and he is hereby directed to obtain as speedily as possible authentic returns of the slaves and other property which have been carried off or destroyed in the course of the War by the Enemy and to transmit the same to the Minister Plenipotentiary for negotiating a Peace.

Resolved:

That in the mean time the Secretary for Foreign Affairs inform the said Ministers that many thousand slaves and other property to a very great amount have been carried off or destroyed by the Enemy, and that in the opinion of Congress the great loss of property which the Citizens of the United States have sustained by the Enemy will be considered by the several States as an insuperable

-------------------- page 409
--------------------

bar to their making restitution or indemnification to the former owners of property which has been or may be forfeited to or confiscated by any of the States.